Equipment Enclosure With Retention Member

ABSTRACT

An enclosure is described comprising a container for housing equipment, a cover for enclosing said container, and a retention member for retaining the cover in an open position to allow a user to access the interior of said container. The retention member provides a releasable means to secure the cover in the open position and to allow the cover to be closed when the user has completed accessing the interior thereof.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The box or enclosure described herein relates to enclosures forcontaining equipment. More specifically, it relates to enclosures forcontaining electrical or telecommunications equipment with a rotatingcover that opens in an upward direction.

2. Description of the Related Art

Enclosures for containing equipment with a rotating cover that opens inan upward direction are known. Typical enclosures do not provide a meansof securing the cover in the open position, and without such meansgravity will close the cover unless it is held in the open position bythe user of the enclosure.

Users of such enclosures must utilize one hand to hold the cover in theopen position which severely limits their ability to work in theinterior. Alternatively the user may utilize a screwdriver or some othertool to attempt to hold the cover open. This is not secure and the tooloften slips, letting the cover fall shut. This unexpected closureinterrupts the users access to the interior of the enclosure, and, sincethe enclosures are often formed from metal, may injure the user if herhands or head are in proximity to the cover when it drops closed.

The enclosure described in this application addresses these issues andprovides an improved enclosure for use in such situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As more fully described below, an enclosure is disclosed comprising acontainer, a cover, and a retention member wherein the retention memberis rotatably attached to the cover and slidably attached to thecontainer, and wherein the retention member retains the cover in an openposition allowing access to the interior of the container.

In some embodiments, the retention member is rotatably attached to thecover by a mounting pin. In some embodiments of the enclosure theretention member is slidably attached to the container by a guide pin,and the container is provided with a slot for slidably accepting theguide pin. The slot comprises an arcuate section and a retentionsection. The guide pin is disposed in the retention section of the slotwhen the cover is in the open position and retains the cover in the openposition. The guide pin is disposed in the arcuate section of the slotwhen the cover is in the closed position.

Also described herein is a method of supporting a cover of an enclosurein an open position comprising the steps of: providing an enclosurecomprising a container and a cover wherein the cover is rotatablyattached to the container; providing a retention member rotatablyattached to the cover and slidably engaged to the container; rotatingthe cover to an open position; and releasably securing the retentionmember to the container for supporting the cover in the open position.The step of providing a retention member further comprises the steps of:providing a retention member with a first end and a second end wherein amounting hole is provided adjacent to the first end and a guide pin isfixedly attached adjacent to the second end thereof; providing amounting pin fixedly attached to the cover; providing a slot in thecontainer; disposing the mounting hole over the mounting pin androtatably attaching it thereto; and disposing the guide pin in the slotand slidably attaching it thereto.

The step of rotating the cover to an open position further comprises thesteps of: rotating the cover from the closed position to an openposition; rotating the retention member around the mounting pin andsliding the guide pin through the arcuate section of the slot to theretention section of the slot. The step of releasably securing theretention member to the container for supporting the cover in the openposition comprises retaining the guide pin in the retention section ofthe slot.

Further described herein is a container for enclosing electrical ortelecommunications equipment comprising a container for mounting saidequipment, a cover for enclosing said container, and a retention memberfor retaining said cover in a open position to allow access to theinterior of the container. The retention member comprises a rigid barwith a first end and a second end, and wherein a mounting hole isprovided adjacent to said first end, and a guide pin is providedadjacent to said second end. The cover is provided with a mounting pinfor rotatably attaching to the mounting hole in the retention member.The container further comprises a slot for slidably receiving the guidepin, wherein said slot has an arcuate section and a retention section.The guide pin is releasably retained in the retention section of theslot to retain the cover in an open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of thetelecommunications box with a retention member in an open configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the telecommunications boxwith a retention member in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the telecommunications boxwith a retention member in a closed configuration.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of an embodiment ofthe telecommunications box with a retention member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the telecommunications box 100is depicted in a bottom perspective view. The box 100 comprises acontainer 102 with a back plate 104 and four walls extendingperpendicular to the back plate 104, including a top wall 106, a bottomwall 108 and two side walls 110.

During use the back plate 104 is positioned vertically and mounted to asurface to support the box 100. In the embodiment shown in the Figures,the back plate 104 is attached to the surface by a plurality of screwssecured through mounting holes 112.

The back plate 104 and the top wall 106, bottom wall 108 and side walls110 define a volume comprising the interior of the container 102. Amount plate 114 is attached to the back plate 104 in the interior of thecontainer 102. Various telecommunications equipment may be mounted onthe mount plate 114 and secured within the interior of the container 102and the box 100.

In a preferred embodiment of the box 100, the back plate 104 and thewalls 106, 108 and 110 are formed from sheet metal. They may be formedby stamping from a single sheet of metal. In a preferred embodiment, theback plate 104 and the walls 106, 108 and 110 are formed from a singlesheet of metal, cut to shape with the walls extending to the sides ofback plate 104. Once the sheet is cut to shape the walls are foldedperpendicular to the back plate 104 and the walls are permanentlyattached to each other at corners 116, 118, 120 and 122.

In a preferred embodiment of the box 100, walls 110 are formed with tabs124 at each corner which are folded to mate with top 106 and bottom 108.The tabs are then permanently attached to the top wall 106 and thebottom wall 108 by welding, riveting, screwing, or any other means offixedly attaching two sheets of metal.

In an embodiment of the box 100, a slot 126 may be provided at thecorner between back plate 104 and top wall 106. Further, bottom plate108 may be provided with one or more knockout holes 128 for runningcables into the interior of the box 100. The front edge 130 of bottomplate 108 may also be provided with a tab, or lip, 132 folded over at anangle to accept and retain a latch mechanism provided in cover 134.

Cover 134 is provided for shielding the contents of the interior of box100. Cover 134 is rotatably attached to container 102 to allow cover 134to be rotated from a closed position to an open position. In the closedposition, cover 134 shields and protects the contents of the container102. In the open position of cover 134, the interior of container 102 isaccessible to a user thereof, allowing the installation, removal andreconfiguration of the equipment mounted in the container 102.

Cover 134 is comprised of a front plate 136, a top plate 138, bottomplate 140 and two side plates 142. In an embodiment of the box 100,cover 134 is formed from a single sheet of material with plates 138, 140and 142 formed as extensions from the front plate 136, and then foldedperpendicular to front plate 136 to form the cover 134 and defining theinterior thereof. The plates 138, 140 and 142 are then joined at corners144, 146, 148 and 150. In an embodiment the edges of side plates 142 arewelded to the edges of top and bottom plates 138 and 140. In otherembodiments of the box 100, tabs may be provided for attachment of theside plates 142 to top and bottom plates 136 and 138 by welding, screwsor rivets.

A latch 152 may be provided for securing the cover in a closed position.In the embodiment shown in the Figures, latch 152 is mounted through ahole in front plate 136, is provided with a locking mechanism actuatedby keys, and engages the lip 132 in bottom wall 108 to secure the cover134 to the container 102.

In an embodiment of box 100, cover 134 is rotatably attached to the backplate 104 through the slot 126 by a hinge 154 attached to cover 134 at afirst edge of top plate 140. Bottom plate 140 may be provided with arecess 156 to provide clearance to knockout holes 128 when cover 134 isin the closed position for cables of various types inserted through theholes 128.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the box is shown with the cover in an openposition. The box 100 is provided with means of retaining the cover 134in the open position. At least one side wall 110 further comprises aslot 158, having an arcuate section 160 and a rentention section 162. Aretention member 164 is also provided, and is rotatably attached tocover 134 and configured for engaging slot 158. In the embodiment shown,the retention member 164 is disposed outside the container 102 andinside the cover 134. The portion of retention member 164 located insidecover 134 is depicted with dotted lines. In an embodiment, the retentionmember 164 comprises a rigid sheet or bar of material, such as metal,plastic, wood or other rigid material, with a mounting hole 166 locatedin a first end of the retention member 164 and a guide pin 168 attachedto a second end of the retention member 164 and extendingperpendicularly to the surfaces thereof.

In an embodiment, retention member 164 is rotatably attached to cover134 by providing a mounting pin 170 fixedly mounted to cover 134 alongthe adjacent side plate 142. In an embodiment, the mounting pin 170 is athreaded bolt welded to the inside surface of side plate 142. In anembodiment, mounting pin 170 is inserted into mounting hole 166 ofretention member 164. Retention member 164 is secured on pin 170 betweenthe side plate 142 and a retention device 172, which may be a threadednut, cotter pin, or similar means of retention.

The guide pin 168 is inserted into slot 158 and slidably and rotatablysecured therein by retention device 174. In an embodiment of the box100, guide pin 168 comprises a threaded bolt welded or otherwiseattached to retention member 164, and the pin 168 is secured in slot 158by a threaded nut 174.

When cover 134 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2, the weight ofcover 134 forces retention member 164 down and causes guide pin 168 torest against side plate 142 in the retention section 162 of slot 158thus supporting the weight of cover 134 and retaining it in the openposition.

A user of the box 100 opens cover 134 by actuating latch 152 and raisingcover 134 to the open position. As cover 134 is lifted guide pin 168slides along arcuate section 160 of slot 158. As cover 134 reaches themaximum upward position guide pin 168 slides into retention section 164of slot 158. As the user releases support for cover 134, guide pin 168is held by retention section 164 and cover 134 is securely retained inan open position. The user may then access the interior of the container102 with both hands as necessary without a need to hold the cover 134 inthe open position.

Once the user has completed accessing the interior of the container 102,the user lifts the cover 134 slightly to remove its weight from theguide pin 168 with one hand, and simultaneously rotates the retentionmember 164 so that guide pin 168 is in the arcuate section 160 of slot158. The user then lowers the cover 134 and guide pin 168 slides downarcuate section 160 of slot 158 allowing the cover 134 to close.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the box is shown from a side perspective viewin the closed configuration. The retention member 164 and slot 158 arenot visible from the exterior of the box 100 when it is in the closedconfiguration, and are depicted with dotted lines. As cover 134 isrotated to the closed position, mounting pin 170 rotates toward corner118 of container 102, and guide pin 168 slides down the arcuate section160 of slot 158. Arcuate section 160 of slot 158 extends a sufficientdistance to allow retention member 164 to slide freely until cover 134is completely closed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a detailed perspective view of an embodiment ofthe box 100 is depicted. The cover 134 is shown in a partially openconfiguration. Retention member 164 is rotateably attached to cover 134by disposing mounting hole 166 over mounting pin 170 and securing itloosely there with a retention device such as lock nut 172. The guidepin 168 is slidably engaged in slot 158 and retained there by retentiondevice such as lock nut 174. The arcuate section 160 and retentionsection 162 of slot 158 can be clearly seen in the view of FIG. 4.

1. An enclosure comprising a container, a cover, and a retention memberwherein the retention member is rotatably attached to the cover andslidably attached to the container, and wherein the retention memberretains the cover in an open position allowing access to the interior ofthe container.
 2. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein the retention memberis rotatably attached to the cover by a mounting pin.
 3. The enclosureof claim 2 wherein the retention member is slidably attached to thecontainer by a guide pin.
 4. The enclosure of claim 3 wherein thecontainer is provided with a slot for slidably accepting the guide pin.5. The enclosure of claim 4 wherein the slot comprises an arcuatesection and a retention section.
 6. The enclosure of claim 5 wherein theguide pin is disposed in the retention section of the slot when thecover is in the open position and retains the cover in the openposition.
 7. The enclosure of claim 6 wherein the guide pin is disposedin the arcuate section of the slot when the cover is in the closedposition.
 8. A method of supporting a cover of an enclosure in an openposition comprising the steps of: providing an enclosure comprising acontainer and a cover wherein the cover is rotatably attached to thecontainer; providing a retention member rotatably attached to the coverand slidably engaged to the container; rotating the cover to an openposition; and releasably securing the retention member to the containerfor supporting the cover in the open position.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein the step of providing a retention member further comprises thesteps of: providing a retention member with a first end and a second endwherein a mounting hole is provided adjacent to the first end and aguide pin is fixedly attached adjacent to the second end thereof;providing a mounting pin fixedly attached to the cover; providing a slotin the container; disposing the mounting hole over the mounting pin androtatably attaching it thereto; disposing the guide pin in the slot andslidably attaching it thereto.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein theslot comprises an arcuate section and a retention section.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the guide pin slides when in the arcuatesection of the slot and is releasably retained in the retention sectionof the slot.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of rotating thecover to an open position further comprises the steps of: rotating thecover from the closed position to an open position; rotating theretention member around the mounting pin and sliding the guide pinthrough the arcuate section of the slot to the retention section of theslot.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of releasably securingthe retention member to the container for supporting the cover in theopen position comprises retaining the guide pin in the retention sectionof the slot.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:releasing the guide pin from the retention section of the slot; rotatingthe cover to a closed position; and sliding the guide pin through thearcuate section of the slot.
 15. A container for enclosing electrical ortelecommunications equipment comprising a container for mounting saidequipment, a cover for enclosing said container, and a retention memberfor retaining said cover in a open position to allow access to theinterior of the container.
 16. The container of claim 15 wherein theretention member comprises a rigid bar with a first end and a secondend, and wherein a mounting hole is provided adjacent to said first end,and a guide pin is provided adjacent to said second end.
 17. Thecontainer of claim 16 wherein the cover is provided with a mounting pinfor rotatably attaching to the mounting hole in the retention member.18. The container of claim 17 wherein the container further comprises aslot for slidably receiving the guide pin, wherein said slot has anarcuate section and a retention section.
 19. The container of claim 18wherein the guide pin is releasably retained in the retention section ofthe slot to retain the cover in an open position.
 20. The container ofclaim 19 wherein the guide pin is slidably disposed in the arcuatesection of the slot when the cover is in a closed position.